Civil servant Gerry Anderson, 56, and his partner Eve Ribeiro, 36, of Hall Place Crescent, Bexley, stepped in front of the camera to re enact their favourite film.

Scouts from software giant Microsoft visited the British Film Institute on the Southbank in central London on Sunday with a mobile film studio in the hope of unearthing the next Steven Spielberg or George Lucas and promised to screen the winning film at this year’s London Film Festival.

They were joined by film critic James King, 34, who made his own films - boxing classic Rocky and Tom Hanks’ 2000 hit Castaway, before giving participants advice on how to impress the judges.

Mr Anderson said: “I’ve done a little bit of amateur dramatics before but nothing with a proper film crew. It was very impressive and a good laugh.

“The film has so many scenes and storylines but I only had time to pick one.

“I tried to do my best Bruce Willis impression.”

The challenge encourages people to upload a seven- second story, animation or movie, inspired by their favourite film or genre.

The winner will get to walk the red carpet before their film is screened in front of a live audience ahead of the premiere of British movie The First Grader on October 26.

James said: “I’ve seen some of the films that have already been produced and think they look amazing.My advice to people has been to keep it simple, inject some humour where you can and deliver a punchline.There has to be a point to it and it has to make an impact. It can’t just end.”

To enter the competition visit www.windows.co.uk/7secondmovies.

Films must be made by Windows Movie Maker and the deadline is October 9.

“Where to go for a drink near Great Portland Street?” was previously met with blank expressions and shrugs for those local to the area, not anymore, thanks to the opening of The Refinery at Regent’s Place, the eighth bar and restaurant from hugely-successful group Drake & Morgan.